Medical and Travel for Mark and Arthur

I have been friends with Mark Amato and his husband, Arthur Kelley, for 50 years (since high school).

I love them like older brothers.

Mark is currently in the US receiving cancer treatment. They have been living in Mexico as ex-pats since 2015. I’ve started this GoFundMe to raise money so Arthur can travel from Mexico to Colorado to be with Mark and help with Mark's medical expenses.

Mark and Arthur met in their first year of college and have been together ever since. They worked in service, eldercare, and hospitality careers, which allowed them to travel the world together, often to places unfrequented by tourists. They connected with people, absorbing different cultures and living respectfully with locals.

In 2015, after caring for Mark’s elderly mother in Colorado, they retired to the artist colony of San Agustin Etla in Oaxaca, Mexico. Lifelong artists, Mark began painting non-stop and Arthur had the time and space to draw. They opened a small gallery and enjoyed gardening, cooking, and traveling.

They started caring for feral dogs in their village, feeding, vaccinating, and spaying, when possible. They enlisted the help of young neighbors and local veterinarians but used their funds most of the time.

In May 2022, while attending to one of the feral young dogs in the village, Mark was bitten on the hand. He sought medical attention when it became infected. Unfortunately, Mark’s condition deteriorated. They had to make an emergency trip to Colorado, where he was diagnosed with anemia and internal bleeding. After examination, they discovered a tumor on his liver. Mark is now receiving cancer treatment in the US and staying with friends and family. Arthur has remained in Mexico because of commitments and the lack of funds.

They have a mountain of medical and travel bills. All money donated will help them be together, and will aid with Mark's medical bills.

Bless you and thank you!

Yaël Yanich